Highs and lows

JENNIFER CAPRIATI: Her French Open title makes it two down, two to go to become only the sixth player, and only the third American, to win tennis' grand slam.

NFL PLAYERS AND OWNERS: They agreed on a labor contract through 2007. A key point: veterans will receive part of their salary from a leaguewide fund that won't count against a team's salary cap. The league is prosperous, its relationship with the union rock-solid. Baseball's owners and players should take note.

NBA AND NHL: A pair of championship finals that both leagues can be proud of and prove, for the time being anyway, that retreads by the names of MJ and Mario aren't needed to spark interest. It's the games, not the names, that matter.

JOE KENNEDY: Yes, we've sniffed this before (see: Rupe, Wheeler), but the Rays rookie pitcher is a breath of fresh air on a team that should be wearing an orange-scented deodorizer around its neck.

MIKE HAMPTON: The Rockies ace and Crystal River native hit two home runs against Houston, giving him four this season -- three shy of the single-season NL record shared by Don Drysdale (1958, '65) and Don Newcombe (1955). Now we know why he signed with Colorado.

Lows

VINNY CASTILLA: On playing for Tampa Bay, the former Rays third baseman said, "They just wanted to torture you there." Considering his .215 average here, he gave as much as he got.

ALI-FRAZIER IV: The only thing missing from this farce was obnoxious broadcasting by Jill Cosell, Howard's daughter.

MUTINY: It is winless in eight straight going into Saturday night's game against New England. There has to be some Tampa Bay area losing teams support group by now. "Mr. Mutiny, please meet Mr. Ray and Mr. Lightning. No, Mr. Buc and Mr. Storm will not be joining us any time soon."